Is this fair - E55 hit by another car, I get a Micra??
Discussion
On 26th August a camper van ran into the back of my pride and joy - a 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG.
The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
TobyLaRohne said:
No, and you're entitled to a similar size car thats fit for purpose.
This. You're entitled to something that fits your needs - such as doors and boot space. You wont get a premium brand, but they should at least provide you with a Focus / Mondeo etc.Complain harder until they do something. This is probably how Admiral keep so competitive on price - scrimp on the courtesy cars!
What does your policy say? Mine states quite clearly that the courtesy car will be a "1.0 litre car". I guess that the massively inflated costs that claims "management" companies charge have made some insurers more reluctant.
I was lucky in that when this happened to me, the courtesy car was provided by my insurer direct from Enterprise, so I managed to wangle a Saab 9-3 (at £25 a day).
I was lucky in that when this happened to me, the courtesy car was provided by my insurer direct from Enterprise, so I managed to wangle a Saab 9-3 (at £25 a day).
Monty Python said:
What does your policy say? Mine states quite clearly that the courtesy car will be a "1.0 litre car". I guess that the massively inflated costs that claims "management" companies charge have made some insurers more reluctant.
I was lucky in that when this happened to me, the courtesy car was provided by my insurer direct from Enterprise, so I managed to wangle a Saab 9-3 (at £25 a day).
If its being paid for by the other insurer then it doesnt matter what your policy says, he shouldn't be inconvenienced by this. I'd demand a car fit for purpose if the micra isnt.I was lucky in that when this happened to me, the courtesy car was provided by my insurer direct from Enterprise, so I managed to wangle a Saab 9-3 (at £25 a day).
Otispunkmeyer said:
Slightly unfair due to size. They should have given you something like a Mondeo or a vectra. Don't give me this crap about like for like. It's high costs like that that increase premiums. You'll survive a few as a Mondeo man days I'm sure.
Would absolutely love a Mondeo - but I haven't got one - I've got a Micra 
Sounds like I shouldn't complain that they've offered me a Pug 208 and fingers crossed they actually get on an fix my car quickly!!
Otispunkmeyer said:
Slightly unfair due to size. They should have given you something like a Mondeo or a vectra. Don't give me this crap about like for like. It's high costs like that that increase premiums. You'll survive a few as a Mondeo man days I'm sure.
This. Demanding like for like (ie a performance estate) would be taking the piss, expecting something that you can live with isn't.turboteeth said:
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company.
f
k me, a first world problem of the highest order.I simply can't believe your insurance company don't have a fleet of 10 year old Mercs waiting to loan them out - how very inconsiderate of them. I'm sure it must be terrible OP, but we're all thinking of you in your hour of need. Maybe if we got on Facebook and started the "cold bean bucket challenge" we could try to raise awareness of your situation and the horror you must be facing on a daily basis. How on earth they expect you to cope with a smaller car for a couple of weeks is disgusting.
Or you could just check your insurance policy to see what it says about courtesy cars and what you're "entitled" to.
turboteeth said:
On 26th August a camper van ran into the back of my pride and joy - a 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG.
The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
When I was rear-ended last year in my Legacy a Merc E class was delivered. Your mistake was to take a car from the body shop, you needed to state to the other party you need an equivalent hire vehicle. However the third party insurance company was different to my own, I have to say they were very accommodating. The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
northwest monkey said:
fk me, a first world problem of the highest order.
I simply can't believe your insurance company don't have a fleet of 10 year old Mercs waiting to loan them out - how very inconsiderate of them. I'm sure it must be terrible OP, but we're all thinking of you in your hour of need. Maybe if we got on Facebook and started the "cold bean bucket challenge" we could try to raise awareness of your situation and the horror you must be facing on a daily basis. How on earth they expect you to cope with a smaller car for a couple of weeks is disgusting.
Or you could just check your insurance policy to see what it says about courtesy cars and what you're "entitled" to.
Really? Any need to get so bolshy?k me, a first world problem of the highest order.I simply can't believe your insurance company don't have a fleet of 10 year old Mercs waiting to loan them out - how very inconsiderate of them. I'm sure it must be terrible OP, but we're all thinking of you in your hour of need. Maybe if we got on Facebook and started the "cold bean bucket challenge" we could try to raise awareness of your situation and the horror you must be facing on a daily basis. How on earth they expect you to cope with a smaller car for a couple of weeks is disgusting.
Or you could just check your insurance policy to see what it says about courtesy cars and what you're "entitled" to.
I never once ready that he was asking for a 10 year old Merc, just something for the family.
Seriously, some people on this site need to chill.
garyhun said:
Really? Any need to get so bolshy?
I never once ready that he was asking for a 10 year old Merc, just something for the family.
Seriously, some people on this site need to chill.
Exactly - it's about what you "need" rather than what you "want". I'd have been happy with a Focus or Astra rather than the Saab I ended up with.I never once ready that he was asking for a 10 year old Merc, just something for the family.
Seriously, some people on this site need to chill.
I think you should get like for like but read this thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Apparently quite a lot of people would be happy with a small car.
I wonder if they would really?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Apparently quite a lot of people would be happy with a small car.
I wonder if they would really?
I've twice had my Range Rover into a body shop and been given an Aygo or Micra on Admirals policies. Unfortunately it's what your "entitled to" on your policy and it sucks. If you do need a bigger car for work then you can hire one and claim the cost back via Admiral Law, but if it's just a "I hate micras and want a normal car" you're stuffed. The alternative is to switch insurance provider, but that will cost you more, but then you will get what you pay for when it's crash time.
Some years ago my neighbours 850 ? cc panda was smashed into whilst parked up on road. The ins company dealing with it were so incompetent they took 16 weeks to make him a payment
At best his car was worth 500 pre accident.
He also did a weekly commute of some 200 miles. Stayed week. Came home.
John was also 20 plus stone. In a panda
He was given a new corsa for the period. Never in his life or since has he had such a good car !!!!!
At best his car was worth 500 pre accident.
He also did a weekly commute of some 200 miles. Stayed week. Came home.
John was also 20 plus stone. In a panda
He was given a new corsa for the period. Never in his life or since has he had such a good car !!!!!
northwest monkey said:
turboteeth said:
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company.
fk me, a first world problem of the highest order.Leave him alone, you hair triggered, "first world problem" bleating, no life, selective quoting forum vulture.
Edited by Bennet on Thursday 18th September 09:10
Next time you may find it better to (say it quietly) involve an Accident Management Company, or preferably negotiate with the other cars insurance company directly. If their driver is obviously at fault they will deal with it rather than a ACM get involved.
Certainly when I (or my two year old E class) was rammed, the conversation went along the lines, A Micra do you Sir? I don't think so - I'm not travelling the country in one of those, nor will my family fit in.... OK sir, how about a Focus? I think your wasting my time, I think I'll let an ACM deal with it....
Eventually ended up with a base E Class. I'd have settled for Mondeo etc., but they had put by backup somewhat by taking the piss.
I'm surprised that the insurance company did not put you on to their own Accident Management Company.
Certainly when I (or my two year old E class) was rammed, the conversation went along the lines, A Micra do you Sir? I don't think so - I'm not travelling the country in one of those, nor will my family fit in.... OK sir, how about a Focus? I think your wasting my time, I think I'll let an ACM deal with it....
Eventually ended up with a base E Class. I'd have settled for Mondeo etc., but they had put by backup somewhat by taking the piss.
I'm surprised that the insurance company did not put you on to their own Accident Management Company.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Don't give me this crap about like for like. It's high costs like that that increase premiums. You'll survive a few as a Mondeo man days I'm sure.
Yes... exactly. Someone I know had was run into in his E320CDI (an old one) which can't have been worth more than £7-8k at the time. It went in for a month to get fixed, and the rental car company gave him an S320CDI (brand new). He spent £25k on rental fees. Covered by the insurance company. FFS.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff